GODS REVELATION IN NATURE Psalm 19 1 6

GOD’S REVELATION IN NATURE Psalm 19: 1 -6

The Belgic Confession (1561) ARTICLE II By What Means God Is Made Known unto Us We know Him by two means: First, by the creation, preservation, and government of the universe; which is before our eyes as a most elegant book, wherein all creatures, great and small, are as so many characters leading us to see clearly the invisible things of God, even his everlasting power and divinity, as the apostle Paul says (Rom. 1: 20). All which things are sufficient to convince men and leave them without excuse. Second, He makes Himself more clearly and fully known to us by His holy and divine Word, that is to say, as far as is necessary for us to know in this life, to His glory and our salvation.

Genesis 1: 6 -8 6 And God said, “Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters. ” 7 And God made the expanse and separated the waters that were under the expanse from the waters that were above the expanse. And it was so. 8 And God called the expanse Heaven.

Romans 1: 19 -20 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

Psalm 19: 2 -4 (NLT) Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known. They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard. Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world.

Romans 1: 19 -20 (General Revelation) For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

Necessary Characteristics of the First Cause 1. Self-Existent, Timeless, Nonspatial, Immaterial (to create time, space & matter) - Thus without limits, or infinite. 2. Personal (to choose to create) 3. Unimaginably Powerful (to create universe out of nothing) 4. Supremely Intelligent (to design a universe with such precision & complexity)

2 Timothy 3: 15 (Special Revelation) the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

Psalm 19 V 1 “The heavens declare the glory of God” General Revelation Reveals El V 7 “The law of the LORD is perfect” Special Revelation Reveals Yahweh

Natural Theology Natural theology pursues that which can be known about God through natural human capacity by exploring what God has revealed in the natural world.

Romans 1: 18 -21 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

General Revelation can help us to 1. Do Evangelism (share your faith) & Apologetics (defend your faith)

General Revelation can help us to 1. Do Evangelism (share your faith) & Apologetics (defend your faith) 2. Resist anti-intellectualism

General Revelation can help us to 1. Do Evangelism (share your faith) & Apologetics (defend your faith) 2. Resist anti-intellectualism 3. Worship God

GOD’S REVELATION IN NATURE Psalm 19: 1 -6